Senior Surgery Technician - HQHVSN Training Center in Jacksonville, Florida at EveryPet Formerly First Coast No More Homeless Pets

About Us: EVERYPET is a leading non-profit veterinary hospital committed to making veterinary care affordable and accessible to all. We operate one of the largest high-quality, high-volume spay-neuter (HQHVSN) facilities in the nation and offer a range of accessible care veterinary services to shelter pets, community cats, and owned animals.

Position Overview: EVERYPET has built a robust veterinary training program serving veterinary student externs and shelter medicine interns from around the country. We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Senior Surgery Technician to work directly with the Director of Professional Development (DPD) and assist in the management and operation of our new HQHVSN Training Center. In this role, you will perform various technical and nursing duties related to surgical procedures, instruct trainees on patient care and operational protocols, liaise with leadership and staff of the main surgical center to ensure smooth integration of operations, and support the DPD with administration of training programs. The Senior Surgery Technician , reporting to both the DPD and Practice Manager, will also serve as a surgical technician in the Surgery Center in the absence of Training Center duties.

Primary Duties:

Patient Care (30%)

• In collaboration with DPD, serve as lead technician performing and directing trainees in peri-operative patient care, including physical examination, administration and maintenance of anesthesia, surgical preparation, recovery, and post-operative care.
• Assist veterinarians and trainees during surgical procedures as needed.
• Provide nursing care to patients, including administering medications and outpatient treatments.
• Ensure completion of all patient care needs, including medical record-keeping and special post-operative instructions and/or medications.
• Model leadership in patient care, communication, and teamwork, to ensure a level of veterinary care in line with EVERYPET’s mission.

Teaching (30%)

• Instruct trainees and volunteers in Training Center policies and operational protocols.
• Assist DPD in development and adaptation of training programs based on student experience to balance teaching with safe, efficient care.
• Assist DPD with internal and external communications regarding training programs including scheduling, trainee preparation, program reporting, and trainee feedback.
• Assist DPD in program development, student case flow, and quality improvement initiatives, including animal care and operational SOPs.
• Ensure a positive, structured learning environment.

• Manage internal and external communications regarding training programs including scheduling, trainee preparation, program reporting, and trainee feedback.
• Schedule trainees and volunteers and keep schedules up to date; communicate closely with DPD to ensure sufficient student capacity and avoid conflicts.
• Schedule spay days and other events, coordinating with EVERYPET staff and universities.
• Participate as lead technician and/or ensure proper technical staffing and assist with operational planning and logistics for monthly student spay days.
• Complete required program reporting.
• Manage Training Center inventory.
• Support DPD with record-keeping and monitoring of program metrics, including number of trainees, patients, and other milestones.
• Direct staff and/or volunteers working in the Training Center.
• Collaborate with Surgery Center staff and leadership to manage daily caseload and optimize animal flow through the facility.
• Collaborate with Surgery Center to maintain adequate sterile supply for intended daily caseload of Training Center.
• Oversee inventory management for the Training Center.
• Ensure Training Center equipment is maintained and in working order, including anesthesia machines and monitoring equipment.
• Assist with sanitation and organization of the Training Center.

Other (10%)

• Collaborate with the DPD on teaching program support, projects, and associated services.
• Maintain working knowledge of veterinary clinical education programs and familiarity with the Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Veterinary Medical Care Guidelines for Spay-Neuter Programs.
• In the absence of trainees/Training Center duties, perform act as a Surgery Center technician, Wellness support and/or specials Cassat as directed by Practice Managers or Director of Operations.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience as a veterinary surgery technician, preferably in a HQHVSN setting; preference given to candidates with C/L/RVT qualifications.
• Strong technical skills in surgical preparation, anesthesia, patient monitoring, and basic clinical procedures.
• Passion for teaching and respectfully engaging with veterinary students, interns, and training veterinarians.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills, a strong work ethic, and desire to seek continuous improvement in animal care, processes, and policies.
• Ability to multi-task effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Positive, professional, and team-oriented attitude.

Work Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Handle and restrain animals of various sizes, weights, and temperaments.
• Exposure to animal bites or scratches, high noise levels, cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, animal dander, and feces.
• Requires long periods of bending, twisting, stooping, standing, and walking.
• Ability to see objects at varying distances, speak, and listen in English.
• Use of fingers, hands, and arms to grasp, move, or assemble small objects with repetitive motions.
• Lift, push, pull, or carry up to 40 pounds unassisted; frequent lifting of animals and objects over 40 pounds with assistance.

Schedule:

• 10-hour shifts, 4 days per week
• Approximately 23 “training” weeks per year
• 1 Sunday per month as needed for special events

Benefits:

• 401(k) and 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee veterinary discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

To Apply: Interested candidates should submit their resume and a cover letter outlining their relevant experience and passion for our mission. We look forward to welcoming a new team member who is eager to make a difference in the lives of pets and their owners.

Equal Opportunity Employer: EveryPet is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The mission of EveryPet is to make veterinary care affordable and accessible to all as we save lives by keeping dogs and cats in homes and out of shelters, provide low-cost spay/neuter services with emphasis on feral/community cats, and deliver a broad range of related programs and services.